15-06-2025
Retro Japan: 'Greek temple' hall in Yokohama houses traditional wooden structure
YOKOHAMA -- A building here whose exterior is reminiscent of an ancient Greek temple houses a wooden structure often seen inside traditional Japanese architecture.
Nestled within the lush greenery of Okurayama Park on a hill in Yokohama's Kohoku Ward, the Okurayama Memorial Hall welcomes visitors. It was completed in 1932 as the main building of the Okura Institute for the Study of Spiritual Culture by businessperson Kunihiko Okura (1882-1971).
Designed by Uheiji Nagano (1867-1937), renowned for his work on many bank buildings during the Meiji era (1868-1912) and the Taisho era (1912-1926), the building features an entrance hall with an open atrium approximately 21 meters high. When sunlight streams through the stained glass, the space is bathed in a golden hue. Looking up, one can see terracotta sculptures of lions and eagles inside the tower atop the atrium, giving the feeling of being watched by them.
The ceiling of the third-floor hall showcases the structural beauty of Japanese zelkova woodwork, which also contributes to the production of high-quality acoustics. Small concerts are also held in the space. The capitals of the columns supporting the ceiling incorporate the "tokyo" architectural structure, often used to support the heavy roofs of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan.
The building was donated by the Okura Institute to the Yokohama Municipal Government, and it opened as a memorial hall in 1984. In 1991, it was designated as a tangible cultural property by the city.
(Japanese original by Akihiro Ogomori, Photo and Video Department)
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The Japanese version of this article was originally published on April 2, 2023.
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This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
